The Progressive Democrat Newsletter grew out of the frustration of the 2004 election. Originally intended for New York City progressives, its readership is now national. For anyone who wants to be alerted by email whenever this newsletter is updated (usually weekly), please send your email address and let me know what state you live in (so I can keep track of my readership).

MADISON STANDS UP TO RIGHT WING TEABAGGER EXTREMISM:The whole nation is watching what is happening in Madison, WI. Good, working class Americans are waking up to the anti-union, pro-rich, irresponsible fiscal policies of the Teabagger Republicans.

America stands with the working class of Wisconsin.

I would like to highlight the downtown businesses who have been working extra hard to keep the pro-union protesters fed:

If you would like to help feed the demonstrators in Madison please do the following:

* Ian's Pizza* Pizza Di Roma* Gumby's Pizza* Silver Mine Subs

Help them feed the protesters and, when things have quieted down, give them your business. You can find them on Badger Bites.

It is time to face facts about Wisconsin's Teabagger (remember, THEY picked that name) Governor...he has been lying and quite possibly breaking the law for no reason other than to please his Billionaire Masters, the Koch Brothers of NYC. Here are the facts and the fallout from his putting the rich in NYC over Wisconsin's firefighters, police, nurses and teachers:

For more info check out their website: http://www.themic921.com/main.html

CURRENT TV MADISON:Current TV, founded by Al Gore, includes some of the best journalism in America today. In particular their Vanguard series is amazing and should not be missed by ANYONE who wants to know in depth coverage of some of the major stories in the world.

Democracy for Wisconsin - MadisonThe local affiliate of Howard Dean's Democracy for America. The Progressive Grassroots at its best.

Meets first Wed. of each month, 7 PM, Madison, WI

Join us in building a brighter and more progressive future for our country.

For more information (including where) email: russwallac_at_aol.com or go here.

For the bicycilists in Madison, here's Critical Mass Madison:

Critical Mass is a movement (not an organization) that advocates for better transportation alternatives. Meets 5:30 PM, the last Friday of Every Month, no matter the weather. Gather where West Washington meets Capitol Square. Where the ride goes after that is decided by whoever shows up.

The modern Democratic Party in Wisconsin got its start in 1949, when the progressive wing of the state’s Republican Party broke away and joined Wisconsin’s Democratic Party. Over the next decade, Democrats, invigorated by the new blood brought into the party by those progressives, racked up an impressive series of wins. This included the election of the first Democratic Governor and U.S. Senator, knocking out Joe McCarthy in doing so.

Since that time, the Dane County Democratic Party has fought for those same progressive principles–rallying against unjust wars, fighting along with our labor and environmental allies on issues impacting workers’ rights and wages and our shared natural environment. We’ve taken a lead in the Wisconsin Democratic Party to ensure openness for all party members in our decision-making processes.

The Dane County Democratic Party has monthly meetings from January to May, and from August to November. These meetings feature elected Democratic speakers from across the state, as well as progressives such as Ed Garvey and Joel Rogers. In July we have a summer picnic. In December we have a holiday party at which we honor our Democrat of the Year–who in past years have included Senator Russ Feingold, Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton and Governor Jim Doyle.

Madison Peak Oil Group meets on the first Thursday of every month for a brown bag lunch from noon to 1:00 p.m. in the lower level conference room at 222 S. Hamilton Street.

THE MadiSUN PROGRAM: The City of Madison was recently awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy through the Solar America Cities Program. MadiSUN’s goal is to double to number of solar electric and hot water solar installations in the city. The City of Madison, along with Madison Gas and Electric, Focus on Energy and UW Extension will be working on this project for the next two years. A major component of the grant is to provide the community with a consultant who can help interested residents and businesses install a solar system. The consultant is on board to provide technical expertise and to answer questions regarding design, permitting and rebate programs. Contact (608) 243-0586 or solar_at_cityofmadison.com

Alternative energy and YOUR energy bill: YOU can be part of the solution for America by signing up to purchase your energy through a Green Power Provider. My wife and I have been doing this in NYC for years. All our energy usage is provided through wind energy generation on American farms. So we use clean energy AND help American farmers. It costs us three cents per kilowatt-hour more per month, but we feel great about it. Although our actual energy may come from anywhere, we are paying to purchase wind energy for the energy grid. Each state has different programs available, usually through yuor existing energy provider right on your existing energy bill. To find such options in Wisconsin, go here and pick your energy provider from the list. If you need help, you can email me and tell me who you get your bill from (don't give me any other info!) and I can tell you who to contact to go green through that energy provider. Or you can do the same thing using Renewable Energy Certificates through an organization that works with utility companies, though in this case it is a separate bill. One off the cheapest (.4-1 cent per kilowatt-hour), but still e-Green certified, ways to do this is through Good Energy. Or, for about half a cent per kilowatt-hour you can purchase renewable energy certificates through Carbonfund.org. ANY of these ways you do it, you are helping the environment, helping America, and helping cut carbon emissions.

Biodiesel in the Madison area:

Biodiesel is an American produced fuel that is cleaner than traditional diesel. Up to B20 (a 20% blend of biodiesel and traditional diesel) any diesel engine, car or truck, can run on it. Above B20, some older engines may have problems but newer diesel engines should be ok. Here are some Biofuels co-ops...below that I list regular gas stations that carry biodiesel.

PrairieFire BioFuels: a member-owned cooperative creating access and building infrastructure to support vegetable oil-based fuels sources and usage.

SERRV (one of my favorite companies)www.serrv.org Hundreds of fabulous handcrafts and foods available online, in a FREE catalog, and through wholesale and consignment. SERRV: a nonprofit with 60 years of experience.Phone: (800)422-5915Fax: (608)255-0451122 State St., Ste. 600Madison, WI 53703